If someone from India scores above 2350 on the SAT but their school grades are around 80% over four years, do they still stand a chance at a full scholarship for undergrad in the US? Would love to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar or knows how it works.
That’s a pretty solid SAT score, especially if it’s out of 2400 (assuming it’s the old format). Even in the new SAT (out of 1600), if it’s 2350+ converted from superscoring or Subject Tests, that’s impressive. US colleges definitely notice strong standardized test scores. But yeah, 80% in school might not be considered “top of the class,” especially for super competitive places. Still, don’t count yourself out—some unis look at the whole picture.
Totally agree! I’ve seen students with similar profiles get good merit aid. For full scholarships though, it’s usually a mix of high SATs, strong extracurriculars, leadership, essays, and sometimes financial need. You might want to look into schools like Berea, and also some liberal arts colleges that are generous to international students. Try searching for scholarships for Indian students in USA, and shortlist unis that specifically offer full rides.